Channel indication methods and apparatuses

ABSTRACT

A channel indication method and an apparatus thereof are provided. The method is performed by a base station working on an unlicensed spectrum. The method includes that the base station determines one or more first channel detection subbands that pass a channel detection. Additionally, the base station generates a channel indication signal to indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. Furthermore, the base station transmits the channel indication signal to a terminal to determine, based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is the U.S. national phase application of International Application No. PCT/CN2019/079918, filed on Mar. 27, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular, relates to a channel indication method and apparatus.

BACKGROUND

A communication system of new generation is expected to support a flexible configuration of multiple types of services corresponding to different service requirements. For example, enhanced Mobile Broad Band (eMBB), as a type of service, mainly focuses on the requirements of wide bandwidth, high-speed rate, etc.; Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC), as another type of service, mainly focuses on the requirements of high reliability and low latency; and massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), as another type of service, mainly focuses on the requirements of a large number of connections. However, with the service requirements developing, just utilizing a licensed spectrum may not be enough to satisfy the increasing service requirements in the communication system of new generation.

SUMMARY

In view of the above, examples of the present disclosure provide a channel indication method and apparatus.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a channel indication method, performed by a base station working on an unlicensed spectrum. The method includes that the base station determines one or more first channel detection subbands that pass a channel detection. Additionally, the method includes that the base station generates a channel indication signal to indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. Furthermore, the base station transmits the channel indication signal to a terminal to determine, based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a channel indication method, performed by a terminal working on an unlicensed spectrum. The method includes that the terminal receives a channel indication signal from a base station, where the channel indication signal indicates one or more first channel detection subbands that pass a channel detection. Furthermore, the method includes that the terminal determines, based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a channel indication apparatus, configured in a base station working on an unlicensed spectrum. The apparatus includes one or more processors and a memory for storing instructions executable by the one or more processors.

The one or more processors are configured to: determine one or more first channel detection subbands that pass a channel detection; generate a channel indication signal to indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection; and transmit the channel indication signal to a terminal to determine, based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a channel indication apparatus, configured in a terminal working on an unlicensed spectrum. The apparatus includes one or more processors and a memory for storing instructions executable by the one or more processors.

The one or more processors are configured to: receive a channel indication signal from a base station, where the channel indication signal indicates one or more first channel detection subbands that pass a channel detection; and determine, based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection.

It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate examples consistent with the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a channel indication method illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 2 is a scenario diagram of a channel indication method illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of another channel indication method illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a channel-indicating way illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of another channel-indicating way illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of another channel indication method illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of a correspondence between downlink signal sequence values and channel detection subbands passing a channel detection illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of another channel indication method illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of another channel indication method illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a channel indication method illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of another channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of another channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of another channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of another channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of another channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of another channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of another channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of another channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of another channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 19 is a structure schematic diagram of a channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example.

FIG. 20 is a structure schematic diagram of a channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail here with the examples thereof expressed in the drawings. Where the following descriptions involve the drawings, like numerals in different drawings refer to like or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The implementations described in the following examples do not represent all implementations consistent with the present disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of the present disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

The terms used in the present disclosure are for the purpose of describing particular examples only, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Terms determined by “a”, “the” and “said” in their singular forms in the present disclosure and the appended claims are also intended to include plurality, unless clearly indicated otherwise in the context. It should also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein is and includes any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It is to be understood that, although terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and the like may be used in the present disclosure to describe various information, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one category of information from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, first information may be referred as second information; and similarly, second information may also be referred as first information. Depending on the context, the word “if” as used herein may be interpreted as “when”, “upon”, or “in response to determining”.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a channel indication method illustrated according to an example, and FIG. 2 is a scenario diagram of a channel indication method illustrated according to an example. The channel indication method can be performed by a base station working on an unlicensed spectrum. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the channel indication method includes the following steps 110-130.

At step 110, one or more first channel detection subbands that pass a channel detection are determined.

In one or more examples of the present disclosure, the base station may perform the channel detection on a plurality of channel detection subbands to obtain a channel detection result. The one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection may be included in the channel detection result. The first channel detection subband here refers to a channel detection subband that has passed the channel detection.

In addition, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection may be a plurality of bandwidth parts configured on one unlicensed carrier, a plurality of unlicensed carriers, or a plurality of bandwidth parts configured on a plurality of unlicensed carriers.

At step 120, a channel indication signal is generated. The channel indication signal indicates the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection.

In one or more examples of the present disclosure, the channel indication signal indicates which channel detection subbands have passed the channel detection.

In an example, the channel indication signal in the step 120 may include a first downlink signal and first downlink control signaling. The first downlink signal is configured for instructing a terminal to detect the downlink control signaling transmitted subsequently. The first downlink control signaling includes identification information for representing the one or more first channel detection subbands. The detailed realization of this example may refer to an example illustrated in FIG. 3.

In an example, the channel indication signal in the step 120 may include a second downlink signal. A sequence value of the second downlink signal indicates the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. The detailed realization of this example may refer to an example illustrated in FIG. 4.

In an example, the channel indication signal in the step 120 may include a third downlink signal. One or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. The detailed realization of this example may refer to an example illustrated in FIG. 5.

In an example, the channel indication signal in the step 120 may include second downlink control signaling. A designated information field of the second downlink control signaling includes first indication information for explicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands, or a CRC scrambling sequence of the second downlink control signaling includes second indication information for implicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands. The detailed realization of this example may refer to an example illustrated in FIG. 6.

At step 130, the channel indication signal is transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal determines, based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection.

In one or more examples of the present disclosure, the base station can inform the terminal which channel detection subbands have passed the channel detection through the channel indication signal, so that the terminal can perform a data transmission on these channel detection subbands that have passed the channel detection.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a base station 11 and a terminal 12 are included in an exemplary scenario. After determining one or more first channel detection subbands that pass a channel detection, the base station 11 may generate a channel indication signal. The channel indication signal indicates the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and is transmitted to the terminal 12. After receiving the channel indication signal from the base station 11, the terminal 12 can determine, based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and perform a data transmission on the one or more first channel detection subbands.

In the present disclosure, the base station 11 may be a facility deployed in an access network to provide the terminal 12 with wireless communication functions. The base station 11 may cover various forms of a macro base station, a micro base station, a relay station, an access point and the like. In systems implemented with different wireless access technologies, the facility with base station functions may be named differently. For example, in a 5G NR system, it is called gNodeB or gNB. The name, “base station”, may be changed with the development of communication technologies. In order to simplify the description, in the examples of the present disclosure, the above-mentioned facilities that provide the terminal 12 with the wireless communication functions is collectively referred to as base stations.

There are usually a plurality of terminals 12. In a cell controlled by one base station 11, there may distribute one or more terminals 12. The terminal 12 may cover various devices with the wireless communication functions, such as handheld devices, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, and may cover various forms of User Equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a terminal device and the like. In order to simplify the description, in the examples of the present disclosure, the devices mentioned above are collectively referred to as terminals.

According to the above examples, after determining the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, the channel indication signal can be generated to indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and be transmitted to the terminal, so that based on the channel indication signal, the terminal can accurately determine the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, thereby reducing an energy consumption for the channel detection and improving a data transmission performance.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of another channel indication method illustrated according to an example. The channel indication method can be performed by a base station working on an unlicensed spectrum. On the basis of the method illustrated in FIG. 1, the channel indication signal includes a first downlink signal and first downlink control signaling, the first downlink signal is configured for instructing the terminal to detect the downlink control signaling transmitted subsequently, and the first downlink control signaling includes identification information for representing the one or more first channel detection subbands. As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the step 130 is performed, the following steps 310-330 may be included.

At step 310, one or more second channel detection subbands for transmitting the first downlink signal and the first downlink control signaling are determined. The one or more second channel detection subbands are all or a part of the one or more first channel detection subbands.

In one or more examples of the present disclosure, the first downlink signal may be a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS), a Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), or another type of downlink signal. The first downlink control signaling may be control signaling configured to carry common control information.

If the one or more second channel detection subbands are all of the one or more first channel detection subbands, it means that the first downlink signal and the first downlink control signaling are to be transmitted on every first channel detection subband. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, a channel detection subband 1 and a channel detection subband 3 are the first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and the first downlink signal and the first downlink control signaling are transmitted on the channel detection subband 1 and the channel detection subband 3.

As an example, the first downlink control signaling transmitted on the channel detection subband 1 and the first downlink control signaling transmitted on the channel detection subband 3 include the same identification information: Channel Detection Subband 1 and Channel Detection Subband 3.

As another example, the identification information included in the first downlink control signaling transmitted on the channel detection subband 1 is Channel Detection Subband 1, and the identification information included in the first downlink control signaling transmitted on the channel detection subband 3 is Channel Detection Subband 3.

If the one or more second channel detection subbands are a part of the one or more first channel detection subbands, it means that the first downlink signal and the first downlink control signaling are to be transmitted on each of the part of subbands. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, a channel detection subband 1, a channel detection subband 2 and a channel detection subband 3 are the first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and the first downlink signal and the first downlink control signaling are only transmitted on the channel detection subband 1 and the channel detection subband 3.

As an example, the first downlink control signaling transmitted on the channel detection subband 1 and the first downlink control signaling transmitted on the channel detection subband 3 include the same identification information: Channel Detection Subband 1, Channel Detection Subband 2, and Channel Detection Subband 3.

As another example, the identification information included in the first downlink control signaling transmitted on the channel detection subband 1 is Channel Detection Subband 1 and Channel Detection Subband 2, and the identification information included in the first downlink control signaling transmitted on the channel detection subband 3 is Channel Detection Subband 3.

At step 320, the first downlink signal is transmitted at a first position of the one or more second channel detection subbands.

At step 330, the first downlink control signaling is transmitted at a second position of the one or more second channel detection subbands. The second position is subsequent to the first position.

A time interval between the first position in the step 320 and the second position in the step 330 may be predefined or be informed by the base station in advance through signaling.

According to the above example, the first downlink signal and the first downlink control signaling can be transmitted respectively at the first position and the second position of each of the one or more first channel detection subbands, or respectively at the first position and the second position of each of the part of the one or more first channel detection subbands, thereby enriching a channel indication diversity and improving a channel indication reliability.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of another channel indication method illustrated according to an example. The channel indication method can be performed by a base station working on an unlicensed spectrum. On the basis of the method illustrated in FIG. 1, the channel indication signal includes a second downlink signal, and a sequence value of the second downlink signal indicates the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. As illustrated in FIG. 4, when the step 130 is performed, the following step 410 may be included.

At step 410, the channel indication signal carrying the second downlink signal is transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal determines the sequence value of the second downlink signal, and determines the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the sequence value of the second downlink signal.

In an example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the channel indication method may further include the following steps 420-430.

At step 420, a first correspondence between preset downlink signal sequence values and preset channel detection subbands passing the channel detection is acquired.

In one or more examples of the present disclosure, the first correspondence involves the preset downlink signal sequence values and the preset channel detection subbands passing the channel detection. A specific correspondence may be illustrated in FIG. 4A in detail. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the first downlink signal may be a DMRS, and the preset downlink signal sequence values include a DMRS sequence 1, a DMRS sequence 2, a DMRS sequence 3, a DMRS sequence 4, a DMRS sequence 5, and so on. The DMRS sequence 1 corresponds to a channel detection subband 1, the DMRS sequence 2 corresponds to a channel detection subband 2, the DMRS sequence 3 corresponds to a channel detection subband 3, the DMRS sequence 4 corresponds to the channel detection subbands 1 and 2, the DMRS sequence 5 corresponds to the channel detection subbands 1, 2, 3 and 4, and so on.

At step 430, the first correspondence is transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal determines, based on the first correspondence, the one or more first channel detection subbands corresponding to the sequence value of the second downlink signal.

In one or more examples of the present disclosure, there is no restriction on an order of the transmissions in the step 410 and the step 430. The transmission in the step 410 and the transmission in the step 430 may be performed at the same time, the transmission in the step 410 may be performed before that in the step 430, or the transmission in the step 410 may be performed after that in the step 430.

In addition, if the terminal may know the first correspondence in the steps 420-430 in advance instead of being informed by the base station, for example, if the first correspondence has been given in a protocol, the base station may not transmit the first correspondence to the terminal.

According to the above examples, the sequence value of the second downlink signal can be utilized to indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and the channel indication signal carrying the second downlink signal can be transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal can determine the sequence value of the second downlink signal, and determine the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the sequence value of the second downlink signal, thereby saving a signaling overhead for the channel indication and improving a channel indication efficiency.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of another channel indication method illustrated according to an example. The channel indication method can be performed by a base station working on an unlicensed spectrum. On the basis of the method illustrated in FIG. 1, the channel indication signal includes a third downlink signal, and one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the step 130 is performed, the following step 510 may be included.

At step 510, the channel indication signal carrying the third downlink signal is transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal determines the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted, and determines the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted.

In an example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the channel indication method may further include the following steps 520-530.

At step 520, a second correspondence between preset downlink signal transmission positions and preset channel detection subbands passing the channel detection is acquired.

In one or more examples of the present disclosure, the second correspondence involves acquiring the preset downlink signal transmission positions and the preset channel detection subbands passing the channel detection. For example, the third downlink signal may be a DMRS. If the DMRS is detected at a frequency position x on a channel detection subband, it means that the channel detection subband 1 has passed the channel detection. If the DMRS is detected at a frequency position y on a channel detection subband, it means that the channel detection subbands 1 and 2 have passed the channel detection. Either x or y may correspond to one or more values. The correspondence between the DMRS transmission positions and the channel detection results is pre-defined or informed to the terminal through signaling by the base station.

At step 530, the second correspondence is transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal determines, based on the second correspondence, the one or more first channel detection subbands corresponding to the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted.

In one or more examples of the present disclosure, there is no restriction on an order of the transmissions in the step 510 and the step 530. The transmission in the step 510 and the transmission in the step 530 may be performed at the same time, the transmission in the step 510 may be performed before that in the step 530, or the transmission in the step 510 may be performed after that in the step 530.

In addition, if the terminal may know the second correspondence in the steps 520-530 in advance instead of being informed by the base station, for example, if the second correspondence has been given in a protocol, the base station may not transmit the second correspondence to the terminal.

According to the above examples, the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted can be utilized to indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and the channel indication signal carrying the third downlink signal can be transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal can determine the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted, and determine the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted, thereby saving a signaling overhead for the channel indication and extending channel indication forms.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of another channel indication method illustrated according to an example. The channel indication method can be performed by a base station working on an unlicensed spectrum. On the basis of the method illustrated in FIG. 1, the channel indication signal includes second downlink control signaling. A designated information field of the second downlink control signaling includes first indication information for explicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands, or a CRC scrambling sequence of the second downlink control signaling includes second indication information for implicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands. As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the step 130 is performed, the following step 610 may be included.

At step 610, the channel indication signal carrying the second downlink control signaling is transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal determines the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the first indication information or the second indication information of the second downlink control signaling.

According to the above example, the second downlink control signaling can be utilized to explicitly or implicitly indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and the channel indication signal carrying the second downlink control signaling can be transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal can determine the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the first indication information or the second indication information of the second downlink control signaling, thereby improving a channel indication accuracy.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a channel indication method illustrated according to an example, and FIG. 2 is a scenario diagram of a channel indication method illustrated according to an example. The channel indication method can be performed by a terminal working on an unlicensed spectrum. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the channel indication method includes the following steps 710-720.

At step 710, a channel indication signal from a base station is received. The channel indication signal indicates one or more first channel detection subbands that pass a channel detection.

In one or more examples of the present disclosure, the base station can inform the terminal which channel detection subbands have passed the channel detection through the channel indication signal, so that the terminal can perform a data transmission on these channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. The first channel detection subband here refers to a channel detection subband that has passed the channel detection.

In addition, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection may be a plurality of bandwidth parts configured on one unlicensed carrier, a plurality of unlicensed carriers, or a plurality of bandwidth parts configured on a plurality of unlicensed carriers.

At step 720, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection are determined based on the channel indication signal.

In one or more examples of the present disclosure, in view of different contents included in the channel indication signal, the terminal may determine the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection in a corresponding manner.

In an example, the channel indication signal in the step 710 may include a first downlink signal and first downlink control signaling. The first downlink signal is configured for instructing the terminal to detect the downlink control signaling transmitted subsequently. The first downlink control signaling includes identification information for representing the one or more first channel detection subbands. Correspondingly, when the step 710 is performed, it may include:

(1-1) performing a receipt action for the first downlink signal; and

(1-2) proceeding to receive the first downlink control signaling if the first downlink signal is received.

In this way, since it is unknown for the terminal which first channel detection subband is used by the base station to transmit the identification information, the terminal receives the first downlink signal on every channel detection subband. Only after the first downlink signal is received on a channel detection subband, the terminal determines that the base station will transmit the identification information on the first channel detection subband, and thus continues to receive subsequent first downlink control signaling.

Correspondingly, when the step 720 is performed, it may include:

(1-3) determining the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the identification information included in the first downlink control signaling.

In an example, the channel indication signal in the step 710 may include a second downlink signal. A sequence value of the second downlink signal indicates the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. Correspondingly, when the step 720 is performed, it may include:

(2-1) determining the sequence value of the second downlink signal; and

(2-2) determining the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the sequence value of the second downlink signal.

In an example, when the step (2-2) is performed, it may include:

(3-1) acquiring a first correspondence between preset downlink signal sequence values and preset channel detection subbands passing the channel detection; and

(3-2) determining, based on the first correspondence, the one or more first channel detection subbands corresponding to the sequence value of the second downlink signal.

The approach for acquiring the first correspondence in above step (3-1) may include: receiving a notice from the base station; or learning in advance in the terminal, for example, when the first correspondence is given in a protocol.

In an example, the channel indication signal in the step 710 may include a third downlink signal. One or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. Correspondingly, when the step 720 is performed, it may include:

(4-1) determining the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted; and

(4-2) determining the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted.

In an example, when the step (4-2) is performed, it may include:

(5-1) acquiring a second correspondence between preset downlink signal transmission positions and preset channel detection subbands passing the channel detection; and

(5-2) determining, based on the second correspondence, the one or more first channel detection subbands corresponding to the one or more positions at which the second downlink signal is transmitted.

The approach for acquiring the second correspondence in above step (5-1) may include: receiving a notice from the base station; or learning in advance in the terminal, for example, the second correspondence given in a protocol.

In an example, the channel indication signal in the step 710 may include a second downlink control signaling. A designated information field of the second downlink control signaling includes first indication information for explicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands, or a CRC scrambling sequence of the second downlink control signaling includes second indication information for implicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands. Correspondingly, when the step 720 is performed, it may include:

(6-1) determining the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the first indication information or the second indication information. The first indication information is configured for explicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands, and the second indication information is configured for implicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands.

According to the above examples, after the channel indication signal, which is transmitted by the base station and indicates the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, is received, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection can be accurately determined based on the channel indication signal, thereby reducing an energy consumption for the channel detection and improving a data transmission performance. In particular, it can adopt corresponding determination schemes according to different contents included in the channel indication signal, thereby enriching a channel indication diversity and improving a channel indication reliability and a channel indication accuracy.

Corresponding to the foregoing channel indication method examples, the present disclosure also provides channel indication apparatus examples.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example. The apparatus is configured in a base station working on an unlicensed spectrum and is configured to perform the channel indication method illustrated in FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the channel indication apparatus may include:

a determining module 81 that is configured to determine one or more first channel detection subbands that pass a channel detection;

a generating module 82 that is configured to generate a channel indication signal to indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection; and

a first transmitting module 83 that is configured to transmit the channel indication signal to a terminal, so that the terminal determines, based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection.

According to the above example, after determining the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, the channel indication signal can be generated to indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and can be transmitted to the terminal, so that based on the channel indication signal, the terminal can accurately determine the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, thereby reducing an energy consumption for the channel detection and improving a data transmission performance.

In an example, on the basis of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 8, the channel indication signal includes a first downlink signal and first downlink control signaling. The first downlink signal is configured for instructing the terminal to detect the downlink control signaling transmitted subsequently. The first downlink control signaling includes identification information for representing the one or more first channel detection subbands. In an example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the first transmitting module 83 may include:

a subband determining submodule 91 that is configured to determine one or more second channel detection subbands for transmitting the first downlink signal and the first downlink control signaling, where the one or more second channel detection subbands are all or a part of the one or more first channel detection subbands;

a first transmitting submodule 92 that is configured to transmit the first downlink signal at a first position of the one or more second channel detection subbands; and

a second transmitting submodule 93 that is configured to transmit the first downlink control signaling at a second position of the one or more second channel detection subbands, where the second position is subsequent to the first position.

According to the above example, the first downlink signal and the first downlink control signaling can be transmitted respectively at the first position and the second position of each of the one or more first channel detection subbands, or respectively at the first position and the second position of each of a part of the one or more first channel detection subbands, thereby enriching a channel indication diversity and improving a channel indication reliability.

In an example, on the basis of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 8, the channel indication signal includes a second downlink signal. A sequence value of the second downlink signal indicates the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. In an example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the apparatus further includes:

a first acquiring module 101 that is configured to acquire a first correspondence between preset downlink signal sequence values and preset channel detection subbands passing the channel detection; and

a second transmitting module 102 that is configured to transmit the first correspondence to the terminal, so that the terminal determines, based on the first correspondence, the one or more first channel detection subbands corresponding to the sequence value of the second downlink signal.

According to the above example, the sequence value of the second downlink signal can be utilized to indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and the channel indication signal carrying the second downlink signal can be transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal can determine the sequence value of the second downlink signal, and determine the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the sequence value of the second downlink signal, thereby saving a signaling overhead for the channel indication and improving a channel indication efficiency.

In an example, on the basis of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 8, the channel indication signal includes a third downlink signal. One or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. In an example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the apparatus further includes:

a second acquiring module 111 that is configured to acquire a second correspondence between preset downlink signal transmission positions and preset channel detection subbands passing the channel detection; and

a third transmitting module 112 that is configured to transmit the second correspondence to the terminal to determine, based on the second correspondence, the one or more first channel detection subbands corresponding to the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted.

According to the above example, the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted can be utilized to indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and the channel indication signal carrying the third downlink signal can be transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal can determine the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted, and determine the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted, thereby saving a signaling overhead for the channel indication and extending channel indication forms.

In an example, on the basis of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 8, the channel indication signal includes second downlink control signaling. A designated information field of the second downlink control signaling includes first indication information for explicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands, or a CRC scrambling sequence of the second downlink control signaling includes second indication information for implicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands.

According to the above example, the second downlink control signaling can be utilized to explicitly or implicitly indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, and the channel indication signal carrying the second downlink control signaling can be transmitted to the terminal, so that the terminal can determine the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the first indication information or the second indication information of the second downlink control signaling, thereby improving a channel indication accuracy.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example. The apparatus is configured in a terminal working on an unlicensed spectrum and is configured to perform the channel indication method illustrated in FIG. 7. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the channel indication apparatus may include:

a receiving module 121 that is configured to receive a channel indication signal from a base station, where the channel indication signal indicates one or more first channel detection subbands that pass a channel detection; and

a determining module 122 that is configured to determine, based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection.

In an example, on the basis of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 12, the channel indication signal includes a first downlink signal and first downlink control signaling. The first downlink signal is configured for instructing the terminal to detect the downlink control signaling transmitted subsequently. The first downlink control signaling includes identification information for representing the one or more first channel detection subbands. In an example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the receiving module 121 may include:

a first receiving submodule 131 that is configured to perform a receipt action for the first downlink signal; and

a second receiving submodule 132 that is configured to proceed to receive the first downlink control signaling if the first downlink signal is received.

The determining module 122 may include:

a first determining submodule 133 that is configured to determine the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the identification information included in the first downlink control signaling.

In an example as illustrated in FIG. 14, on the basis of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 12, the channel indication signal includes a second downlink signal. A sequence value of the second downlink signal indicates the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. The determining module 122 may include:

a second determining submodule 141 that is configured to determine the sequence value of the second downlink signal; and

a third determining submodule 142 that is configured to determine the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the sequence value of the second downlink signal.

In an example as illustrated in FIG. 15, on the basis of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 14, the third determining submodule 142 may include:

a first acquiring unit 151 that is configured to acquire a first correspondence between preset downlink signal sequence values and preset channel detection subbands passing the channel detection; and

a first determining unit 152 that is configured to determine, based on the first correspondence, the one or more first channel detection subbands corresponding to the sequence value of the second downlink signal.

In an example as illustrated in FIG. 16, on the basis of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 12, the channel indication signal includes a third downlink signal. One or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection. The determining module 122 may include:

a fourth determining submodule 161 that is configured to determine the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted; and

a fifth determining submodule 162 that is configured to determine the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted.

In an example as illustrated in FIG. 17, on the basis of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 16, the fifth determining submodule 162 may include:

a second acquiring unit 171 that is configured to acquire a second correspondence between preset downlink signal transmission positions and preset channel detection subbands passing the channel detection; and

a second determining unit 172 that is configured to determine, based on the second correspondence, the one or more first channel detection subbands corresponding to the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted.

In an example as illustrated in FIG. 18, on the basis of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 12, the channel indication signal includes second downlink control signaling. A designated information field of the second downlink control signaling includes first indication information for explicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands, or a CRC scrambling sequence of the second downlink control signaling includes second indication information for implicitly indicating the one or more first channel detection subbands. The determining module 122 may include:

a sixth determining submodule 181 that is configured to determine the one or more first channel detection subbands based on the first indication information or the second indication information.

According to the above example, after the channel indication signal, which is transmitted by the base station and indicates the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection, is received, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection can be accurately determined based on the channel indication signal, thereby reducing an energy consumption for the channel detection and improving a data transmission performance. In particular, it can adopt corresponding determination schemes according to different contents included in the channel indication signal, thereby enriching a channel indication diversity and improving a channel indication reliability and a channel indication accuracy.

Since the apparatus examples essentially correspond to the method examples, reference may be made to the description of related parts of the method examples. The apparatus examples described above are merely illustrative, where the units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, may be located in one place or distributed to multiple units in a network. Some or all of the modules may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the objectives of the present disclosure. It can be understood and implemented by those of ordinary skill in the art without any creative effort.

The present disclosure also provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, and the computer program is configured to perform the channel indication method described in any one of FIGS. 1-6.

The present disclosure also provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, and the computer program is configured to perform the channel indication methods described in FIG. 7.

The present disclosure also provides a channel indication apparatus, configured in a base station working on an unlicensed spectrum, and the apparatus includes:

one or more processors and a memory for storing instructions executable by the one or more processors.

The one or more processors are configured to:

determine one or more first channel detection subbands that pass a channel detection;

generate a channel indication signal to indicate the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection; and

transmit the channel indication signal to a terminal to determine, based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, it is a structure schematic diagram of a channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example. The apparatus 1900 may be provided as a base station. Referring to FIG. 19, the apparatus 1900 includes a processing component 1922, a wireless transmission/reception component 1924, an antenna component 1926, and a signal processing part peculiar to the wireless interface. The processing component 1922 may further include one or more processors.

One of the processors of the processing component 1922 may be configured to perform any one of the above channel indication methods illustrated in FIGS. 1-6.

The present disclosure also provides a channel indication apparatus, configured in a terminal working on an unlicensed spectrum, and the apparatus includes:

one or more processors and a memory for storing instructions executable by the one or more processors.

The one or more processors are configured to:

receive a channel indication signal from a base station, where the channel indication signal indicates one or more first channel detection subbands that pass a channel detection; and

determine, based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first channel detection subbands that pass the channel detection.

FIG. 20 is a structure schematic diagram of a channel indication apparatus illustrated according to an example. As illustrated in FIG. 20, the channel indication apparatus 2000 according to an example may be a terminal, such as a computer, a mobile phone, a digital broadcasting terminal, a messaging device, a game console, a tablet device, a medical device, fitness equipment, and a personal digital assistant.

Referring to FIG. 20, the apparatus 2000 may include one or more of the following components: a processing component 2001, a memory 2002, a power supply component 2003, a multimedia component 2004, an audio component 2005, an input/output (I/O) interface 2006, a sensor component 2007, and a communication component 2008.

The processing component 2001 generally controls the overall operations of the apparatus 2000, such as operations associated with display, phone calls, data communications, camera operations, and recording operations. The processing component 2001 may include one or more processors 2009 to execute instructions to complete all or part of the steps of the above methods illustrated in FIG. 7. In addition, the processing component 2001 may include one or more modules to facilitate interaction between the processing component 2001 and other components. For example, the processing component 2001 may include a multimedia module to facilitate the interaction between the multimedia component 2004 and the processing component 2001.

The memory 2002 is configured to store various types of data to support the operation of the apparatus 2000. Examples of such data include instructions for any application or method operated on the apparatus 2000, contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, videos, and the like. The memory 2002 may be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), programmable read only memory (PROM), read only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, disk or optical disk.

The power supply component 2003 provides power to various components of the apparatus 2000. The power supply component 2003 may include a power supply management system, one or more power supplies, and other components associated with generating, managing, and distributing power for the apparatus 2000.

The multimedia component 2004 includes a screen providing an output interface between the apparatus 2000 and a user. In some examples, the screen may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch panel (TP). If the screen includes the TP, the screen may be implemented as a touch screen to receive input signals from the user. The TP may include one or more touch sensors to sense touches, swipes, and gestures on the TP. The touch sensors may not only sense a boundary of a touch or swipe, but also sense a lasting time and a pressure associated with the touch or swipe. In some examples, the multimedia component 2004 includes a front camera and/or a rear camera. The front camera and/or rear camera may receive external multimedia data when the apparatus 2000 is in an operating mode, such as a photographing mode or a video mode. Each front camera and rear camera may be a fixed optical lens system or have focal length and optical zooming capability.

The audio component 2005 is configured to output and/or input an audio signal. For example, the audio component 2005 includes a microphone (MIC) that is configured to receive an external audio signal when the apparatus 2000 is in an operating mode, such as a call mode, a recording mode, and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signal may be further stored in the memory 2002 or sent via the communication component 2008. In some examples, the audio component 2005 also includes a speaker for outputting an audio signal.

The I/O interface 2006 provides an interface between the processing component 2001 and a peripheral interface module. The above peripheral interface module may be a keyboard, a click wheel, buttons, or the like. These buttons may include but not limited to, a home button, a volume button, a start button and a lock button.

The sensor component 2007 includes one or more sensors to provide the apparatus 2000 with status assessments in various aspects. For example, the sensor component 2007 may detect an open/closed state of the apparatus 2000 and a relative positioning of components such as the display and keypad of the apparatus 2000, and the sensor component 2007 may also detect a change in position of the apparatus 2000 or a component of the apparatus 2000, the presence or absence of user contact with the apparatus 2000, orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the apparatus 2000, and temperature change of the apparatus 2000. The sensor component 2007 may include a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of a nearby object without any physical contact. The sensor component 2007 may further include an optical sensor, such as a Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) or Charged Coupled Device (CCD) image sensor which is used in imaging applications. In some examples, the sensor component 2007 may also include an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.

The communication component 2008 is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between the apparatus 2000 and other devices. The apparatus 2000 may access a wireless network based on a communication standard, such as Wi-Fi, 2G, 3G, or a combination thereof. In an example, the communication component 2008 receives broadcast signals or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In an example, the communication component 2008 also includes a near field communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-range communication. For example, the NFC module may be implemented based on a radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, an infrared data association (IrDA) technology, an ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, a Blue Tooth (BT) technology and other technologies.

In an example, the apparatus 2000 may be implemented by one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Digital Signal Processing Devices (DSPDs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other electronic components for performing the above methods.

In some examples, there is also provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions, such as the memory 2002 including instructions executable by the processor 2009 of the apparatus 2000 to implement the above methods. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, and the like.

When instructions in the storage medium are executed by the processor, the apparatus 2000 can execute any one of the channel indication methods described above.

Other implementations of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art after implementing the disclosure by referring to the specification. The present disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure that are in accordance with the general principles thereof and include common general knowledge or conventional technical means in the art that are not disclosed in the present disclosure. The specification and examples therein are only illustrative, and the scope and spirit of the present disclosure are to be indicated by appended claims.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the above described accurate structures illustrated in the drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is to be limited only by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A channel indication method, comprising: determining, by a base station on an unlicensed spectrum, one or more first subbands that pass a channel detection; generating, by the base station, a channel indication signal to indicate the one or more first subbands that pass the channel detection; and transmitting, by the base station, the channel indication signal to a terminal to determine, based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first subbands that pass the channel detection.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the channel indication signal comprises a first downlink signal and first downlink control signaling, wherein the first downlink signal is configured for instructing the terminal to detect the first downlink control signaling transmitted subsequently, and the first downlink control signaling comprises identification information for representing the one or more first subbands.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein transmitting the channel indication signal to the terminal comprises: determining one or more second subbands for transmitting the first downlink signal and the first downlink control signaling, wherein the one or more first subbands comprise the one or more second subbands; transmitting the first downlink signal at a first position of the one or more second subbands; and transmitting the first downlink control signaling at a second position of the one or more second subbands, wherein the second position is subsequent to the first position.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the channel indication signal comprises a second downlink signal, and a sequence value of the second downlink signal indicates the one or more first subbands that pass the channel detection.
 5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: acquiring a first correspondence between preset second downlink signal sequence values and preset subbands passing the channel detection; and transmitting the first correspondence to the terminal to determine, based on the first correspondence, the one or more first subbands corresponding to the sequence value of the second downlink signal.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the channel indication signal comprises a third downlink signal, and one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted indicate the one or more first subbands that pass the channel detection.
 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: acquiring a second correspondence between preset third downlink signal transmission positions and preset subbands passing the channel detection; and transmitting the second correspondence to the terminal to determine, based on the second correspondence, the one or more first subbands corresponding to the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the channel indication signal comprises second downlink control signaling, wherein a designated information field of the second downlink control signaling comprises first indication information for explicitly indicating the one or more first subbands, or a cyclical redundancy check (CRC) scrambling sequence of the second downlink control signaling comprises second indication information for implicitly indicating the one or more first subbands.
 9. A channel indication method, comprising: receiving, by a terminal on an unlicensed spectrum, a channel indication signal from a base station, wherein the channel indication signal indicates one or more first subbands that pass a channel detection; and determining, by the terminal and based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first subbands that pass the channel detection.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the channel indication signal comprises a first downlink signal and first downlink control signaling, wherein the first downlink signal is configured for instructing the terminal to detect the first downlink control signaling transmitted subsequently, and the first downlink control signaling comprises identification information for representing the one or more first subbands.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein receiving the channel indication signal from the base station comprises: performing a receipt action for the first downlink signal; and in response to determining that the first downlink signal is received, proceeding to receive the first downlink control signaling; and wherein determining, based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first subbands that pass the channel detection comprises: determining the one or more first subbands based on the identification information comprised in the first downlink control signaling.
 12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the channel indication signal comprises a second downlink signal, and a sequence value of the second downlink signal indicates the one or more first subbands that pass the channel detection; and wherein determining, based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first subbands that pass the channel detection comprises: determining the sequence value of the second downlink signal; and determining the one or more first subbands based on the sequence value of the second downlink signal.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein determining the one or more first subbands based on the sequence value of the second downlink signal comprises: acquiring a first correspondence between preset second downlink signal sequence values and preset subbands passing the channel detection; and determining, based on the first correspondence, the one or more first subbands corresponding to the sequence value of the second downlink signal.
 14. The method according to claim 9, wherein the channel indication signal comprises a third downlink signal, and one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted indicate the one or more first subbands that pass the channel detection; and wherein determining, based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first subbands that pass the channel detection comprises: determining the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted; and determining the one or more first subbands based on the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein determining the one or more first subbands based on the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted comprises: acquiring a second correspondence between preset third downlink signal transmission positions and preset subbands passing the channel detection; and determining, based on the second correspondence, the one or more first subbands corresponding to the one or more positions at which the third downlink signal is transmitted.
 16. The method according to claim 9, wherein the channel indication signal comprises second downlink control signaling, wherein a designated information field of the second downlink control signaling comprises first indication information for explicitly indicating the one or more first subbands, or a cyclical redundancy check (CRC) scrambling sequence of the second downlink control signaling comprises second indication information for implicitly indicating the one or more first subbands; and wherein determining, based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first subbands that pass the channel detection comprises: determining the one or more first subbands based on the first indication information or the second indication information. 17-34. (canceled)
 35. A channel indication apparatus for implementing the method according to claim
 1. 36. A channel indication apparatus, comprising: one or more processors; and a memory for storing instructions executable by the one or more processors; wherein the one or more processors are configured to: receive a channel indication signal from a base station, wherein the channel indication signal indicates one or more first subbands that pass a channel detection; and determine, based on the channel indication signal, the one or more first subbands that pass the channel detection.
 37. The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the channel indication signal comprises a first downlink signal and first downlink control signaling, wherein the first downlink signal is configured for instructing the terminal to detect the first downlink control signaling transmitted subsequently, and the first downlink control signaling comprises identification information for representing the one or more first subbands.
 38. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the channel indication signal comprises a first downlink signal and first downlink control signaling, wherein the first downlink signal is configured for instructing the terminal to detect the first downlink control signaling transmitted subsequently, and the first downlink control signaling comprises identification information for representing the one or more first subbands. 